Using a PCR-based strategy, an additional protein with life-promoting activity, designated Bcl-w, has been identified. The protein is highly conserved between mouse and human and is encoded by a gene located near the TCR(alpha) gene on chromosome 14. Bcl-w is expressed in myeloid cell lines but not in T and B lymphocytes, and can be found in a wide range of tissues. An alternative splicing event in exon 4 results in two transcripts. The first, Bcl-w, encodes a protein of 193 amino acids, and the second, Bcl-w/rox, encodes a protein 333 amino acids in length. The